Mac McClung is doing his best to save the NBA Slam Dunk Contest by himself

Mac McClung is doing his best to save the NBA Slam Dunk Contest by himself

Orlando Magic two-way guard Mac McClung was aiming to make history Saturday night, becoming the first player ever to win three straight dunk competitions.

The NBA’s Dunk Contest, for much of the last decade, has been a disaster. Though McClung has been one of the few saving graces to the event to not make it look like a complete abject disaster. Here are his performances from the last two years:

BACK-TO-BACK CHAMP.

Watch all 8 of Mac McClung's dunks from the 2023 and 2024 #ATTSlamDunk 🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/OfkAsUeCzR

— NBA (@NBA) February 18, 2024

Well, guess what? He impressed again on Saturday night, unquestionably winning the contest by recording four perfect dunks–making history.

Spurs rookie Stephon Castle was good relative to the other two contestants–Bulls rookie Matas Buzelis and Milwaukee’s Andre Jackson Jr.,–but he was nowhere near the level of McClung, no matter what Kevin O’Connor says.

Stephon Castle should’ve won. Better dunks without the use of gimmick props and he’s an actual NBA player.

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 16, 2025

Here were his highlights from the evening, from jumping over a car–a la Blake Griffin in 2011–to dunking two basketballs while jumping over a dude spinning on a hoverboard.

Mac McClung is the only reason we watch the dunk contest at this point.#NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/zoytcEnvvE

— Vendetta Media (@VendettaVSM) February 16, 2025

Mac McClung may be saving the dunk contest by himself.#NBAAllStarpic.twitter.com/xMWxBFmHNJ

— Vendetta Media (@VendettaVSM) February 16, 2025

Jumped over Evan Mobley AND tapped the ball on the rim 🤯

IT'S A THREE-PEAT 🏆🏆🏆

Mac McClung, 2025 #ATTSlamDunk Champ! pic.twitter.com/vBYejtMMZX

— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2025

Look familiar?

The dunk heard round the world – from Blake Griffin in 2011 evolving to Mac’s leap tonight over the #KiaK5. Which is your favorite? #ATTSlamDunk https://t.co/djacClegYx pic.twitter.com/R5wS9gAQaX

— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2025

ANOTHER 50. 🫨@McclungMac is putting on a SHOW in the #ATTSlamDunk! pic.twitter.com/etXy1ci1CF

— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2025

Mac McClung is one of the best dunk contest participants ever.#NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/X6LJoFinb7

— Matt Hanifan (@mph_824_) February 16, 2025

The 26-year-old officially etched himself as one of the best dunkers ever, if he wasn’t there already. But more importantly, he’s doing his best to save a dying event from completely collapsing. Some could argue that it already has and I wouldn’t fault you for it. It’s. That. Bad.

At what point does the league have to beg for its star athletes to participate to get more eyes on it? Or hire professional dunkers that dunk for a living–such as Jordan Kilganon?

Or scrap the event altogether and do another competition. The dunk contest is getting more ridiculous by the second and McClung’s dominance is the one bright spot in an otherwise embarrassing event.

I don’t have an immediate solution outside of getting professional dunkers. McClung’s dragging the floor in these contests, and while his dunks are electric, the event isn’t good after it was the highlight, the marquee event that thousands–and even millions–of fans would tune in every year to watch. Fix it, because it’s not getting better, despite one man trying to save everything like a superhero.

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